10 No-Fail Ways to Streamline Your Back-to-School Routine

After a long, lazy summer, getting everyone out the door on time can be an epic challenge. Here are 10 simple tips you can use to streamline your family's back-to-school morning routine.

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

Take Time

Set your alarm to go off a few minutes before the kids get up to create a little "me" time. Meditate, read or exercise — whatever clears your mind for the day ahead.

Chic Chore Cards

Print and frame fun versions of your chore list, and hang them where the kids can easily see so they'll stay focused on the task at hand.

Clock Central

Place easy-to-read clocks around the house to help remind kids of what time to have breakfast, brush teeth and be out the door.

Musical Motivation

Make a morning-specific playlist and use it to time your departure. When that final song comes on, everyone will know it's time to jump in the car.

Outfit Planning

On Sunday night, plan the week's outfits to avoid any AM drama. Include socks and undies so getting dressed, even for little ones, is super simple.

Minimize Choices

Instead of asking children what they'd like to eat each morning, limit them to just a couple choices. They'll feel like they have a say, and you won't feel like you're running the "International House of Breakfast."

Reminder Cards

Place a brightly-colored card in each backpack the night before so forgetting lunch will be practically impossible.

Family Command Center

Transform even the smallest space into a command center that'll help keep everyone organized and on track by hanging clipboards, frames and cork boards to wrangle important contact information and documents. Add even more functionality with colorful hooks for keys, totes and backpacks.

Remote Toothbrush Station

Keep a stash of toothbrushing supplies in the kitchen or near the door so no one has to run across the house to brush-up after breakfast.

Kid-Friendly Backseat Organizer

Keep a stash of snacks, study aids and school supplies in the car so you're prepared for anything — both to and from school.

More from:

Modern Family Design Lab

We Recommend

35 Genius Back-to-School Dollar Store Hacks 35 Photos

A Nutritionist’s Secret to Healthy Back-to-School Meals

Back-to-School Organization

10 Ways to Unplug + Squeeze in Quality Time With Family 10 Photos

10 Fun Back-to-School Lunch Accessories for Kids

500 Operands are not of the same type: comparison is supported for Number types only.

Operands are not of the same type: comparison is supported for Number types only.

Cannot serve request to /content/hgtv-com/en/lifestyle/clean-and-organize/photo-galleries/2017/S/streamline-back-to-school-routine.html on this server

ApacheSling/2.7 (jetty/9.4.42.v20210604, Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM 1.8.0_271, Linux 4.14.203-156.332.amzn2.x86_64 amd64)